Facts About Drinking Alcohol

Alcohol is the most popular recreational drug. Alcohol is classified as a drug, a depressant. This means it slows down the vital functions of the body.

Types of Alcohol

Beer: brewing and fermentation of grains prepare it. It has an alcohol content of between 4% and 6%

Wine: it is made by use of fermented fruits mostly grapes and has an alcohol content of between 9% and 16%

Spirits: they are a product of both distillation and fermentation. They have an alcohol content above 20%, making them stronger

How The Body Is Affected

Alcohol gets absorbed into the bloodstream through blood vessels in the stomach and intestine walls. After a few minutes of drinking alcohol it travels from the stomach to the brain where it starts slowing the action and reaction of the nerve cells. About 20% of alcohol is absorbed through the lining of the stomach while the rest is absorbed through the lining of the small intestines. The blood carries the alcohol to the liver, where it is eliminated from the blood stream by a process known as metabolizing where the alcohol is converted into non-toxic substance. The liver can however only metabolize a small amount at a time and the rest circulates the body. The intensity of how it affects an individual is related directly with the amount they consumed.

According to a study, women absorb alcohol into their blood stream faster than men, but they metabolize it at a much slower rate when compared to men.

Effects Of Alcohol

The effects of taking alcohol range from a hangover to death from alcohol poisoning. Some short term effects of alcohol include;

Slurred speech

Drowsiness

Distorted hearing and vision

Decreased coordination and perception

Vomiting, which is the body’s defense from additional intake of alcohol

Memory lapse, where the victim does not remember incidences that occurred under the influence

The above are just but a number of the short term effects. Binge drinking and continued use of alcohol in large amounts is associated with several health problems. Binge drinking is the practice of consuming large amounts of alcohol in one session. It is defined as five or more drinks at one time for a man and four or more for a woman. One will binge drink with the intention of getting them intoxicated.

Some long-term effects of alcohol include;

Unintentional injuries such as drowning, falls and car crashes.

High blood pressure

stroke and other heart related diseases

Nerve damage

Liver damage; (Fatty liver, cirrhosis & hepatitis)

These occur after years of heavy drinking.

Permanent damage to the brain

Ulcers

Gastritis, which is the inflammation of stomach walls

Mouth and throat cancer

Death

Statistically Speaking

Statistics show individuals whose first encounter with alcohol was before 15 years of age are 7 times more likely to develop an alcohol addiction when compared to those who took alcohol after the age of 21.

According to a recent study, 28 people in the US die daily in motor vehicle crashes that normally involve an alcohol impaired driver.

Alcoholism

Alcoholism is also known as Alcohol Use Disorder or Alcohol Dependence. It is the addiction to consumption of alcohol. It has four symptoms, namely; cravings, loss of control, physical dependence and tolerance. Serious dependence can lead to life threatening withdrawal symptoms such as convulsions just eight to twelve hours after their last drink.

Alcohol abuse is the most common of all addictions. However, the fact drinking alcohol is so socially accepted, alcohol often leads to what is known as “denial”. If it is left untreated, alcoholism, now known as alcohol use disorder, has severe consequences just like any other addiction.

Alcohol addiction is also known as alcoholism. Craving alcohol is one of the warning signs of alcohol addiction. Another is the inability to stop drinking even if it has caused extreme social and personal harm. Alcohol addiction has become such a menace in the society that many songs have been written about addiction. Some of the songs include;

Captain Jack by Billy Joel

Rehab by Amy Winehouse

Hurt by Johnny Cash

No Children by The Mountain Goats

You Are Not My Go by Keith Urban

Save Me by Shinedown

Alcohol Abuse Treatment

No matter how severe the alcohol addiction, it can be successfully treated. Research has shown that one third of all alcoholics that seek treatment have no symptoms one year after treatment while many others reduce their drinking.

Only 8% of all adults with an alcohol problem seek treatment.
Thanks to advances in the field there are many treatment options available today. The first step taken should always be to understand the options available. When it comes to treatment, what fits one person will not necessarily fit you. Below are the types of treatment available.

Behavioral Treatments

Their main aim is to change the drinking behavior of the patient through counseling. Health professional lead the treatment. Behavioral treatment seeks to develop skills that the patient needs to stop drinking. It also seeks to build a strong social support system while working to set goals that are attainable. The patient also learns how to cope or avoid triggers that may cause a relapse. There are different types of behavioral treatments. They are;

Cognitive behavioral therapy

Motivational enhancement therapy

Marital and family counseling

Brief interventions

Medication

There are some medications that are prescribed by a health professional to help reduce a patients drinking or to prevent their relapse. They can either be used alone or in combination with counseling. Currently there are three approved medication to help addicts.

Mutual Support Groups

These includes alcoholic anonymous, commonly abbreviated as AA, and 12 step programs. They provide peer support for people looking to quit or to cut back their drinking. They offer an added layer of support that patients need.

Alcohol Treatment Centers

Alcohol treatment centers offer the patient a place where they can focus solely on getting better without distractions. The alcohol rehab centers offer both long term and short-term treatment options. Patients go through detoxification and counseling. When a patient has successfully completed their treatment they have a full understanding of their problem. The patient can choose between outpatient treatment and inpatient treatment depending on their responsibilities and flexibility.

It is estimated that due to alcohol related issues like lost days of work it costs taxpayers an estimated sixty million dollars every year. There is more violence in areas with a liquor store.